Rep. Frances Jackson

Maddy summaryHB 250 modifies the annual report filing requirements and fees for certain business entities in North Carolina. It directly affects domestic and foreign corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) where more than 50% of the ownership is held by one or more deployed members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill waives the annual report requirement and associated fees for these businesses while the owner is deployed. Instead, qualifying businesses must file a notice of deployment and can submit their annual report after the deployment ends (90 business days for corporations, April 15 of the following year for LLCs).

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 663, known as the Living Donor Protection Act, aims to support individuals who donate organs or bone marrow. The bill prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against individuals solely based on their status as a living organ donor in various insurance policies. It also establishes a state income tax credit of up to $5,000 for unreimbursed expenses, such as lost wages and travel, incurred by living donors. Furthermore, the act provides state employees and state-supported personnel with up to 30 days of paid leave for organ donation and seven days for bone marrow donation.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 110 establishes the National Guard Student Loan Repayment Program in North Carolina. This program provides student loan repayment awards to active members of the North Carolina National Guard, incentivizing them to begin or complete a term of service of at least three years. Awards cannot exceed the recipient's total student loan debt or $50,000 for a three-year service term, with potential for additional funds for longer service. Recipients must sign an agreement to repay a portion of the award if they voluntarily terminate their service early. The bill appropriates over $25.5 million to a new fund for the program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 806, titled "Public School Operational Relief," proposes changes to North Carolina's public school regulations concerning class sizes and teacher licensure. The bill removes state-mandated class size requirements for kindergarten through third grade, making them recommendations, and eliminates penalties for exceeding these former maximums. It also introduces a new provision requiring that at least 50% of teachers in a public school hold a teaching license. Unlicensed teachers hired under this provision would need to complete preservice training in areas such as educating children with disabilities and managing student behavior. These changes would apply to public schools and local school administrative units beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 956 aims to enhance financial protections for disabled adults and North Carolina residents aged 65 or older. It requires financial institutions and electronic fund transfer entities to report to county social services if they observe a pattern of financially harmful behavior or a six-month cessation of communication from these adults. During the period from when such issues are first noted (or a cognitive impairment diagnosis is made) until the report is submitted, these entities are prohibited from charging late fees, other penalties, or interest on loans to the affected adult. This bill amends existing law to ensure late payment charges are subject to these new protections, becoming effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 703 allows State veterans cemeteries to sell monuments and memorials directly to honor individuals interred within them. This bill permits the sale of items such as memorial trees, granite or marble markers, and benches, though not headstones. State veterans cemeteries can establish stylistic guidelines for these items and must not charge more than the market rate. The funds generated from these sales will be retained by the selling cemetery and dedicated solely to its maintenance, improvement, and care. This act becomes effective on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 462, titled the "Personal Data Privacy/Social Media Safety Act," aims to protect North Carolinians by enacting two main components: the Personal Data Privacy Act and the Social Media Safety Act. The provided text details the "North Carolina Personal Data Privacy Act," which is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. This act establishes definitions for key terms such as "personal data," "biometric data," "precise geolocation data," and "consent," affecting North Carolina residents as "consumers" and entities that process their data as "controllers." It also outlines the framework for consumer rights regarding their personal data.

Maddy summaryHB 767 establishes the Joint Legislative Study Commission on Market Rate Compensation for Teachers. This commission will study public school teacher pay and benefits in North Carolina, comparing them to other states and professions, and analyze teacher attrition rates. Composed of legislators, gubernatorial appointees, and the State Superintendent, the commission will hold public meetings across the state. Its purpose is to gather data and provide legislative recommendations on teacher compensation to the General Assembly by the end of 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 855 expands the types of schools that can request a Residency License (RL) for teachers in North Carolina. Currently, only public school units can request these one-year, renewable licenses. This bill allows certain nonpublic schools to also request Residency Licenses for their teachers. Specifically, it includes nonpublic schools meeting state requirements or those approved by the Department of Public Instruction for students with extraordinary costs. Teachers for whom an RL is requested must still meet existing qualifications, such as holding a bachelor's degree and being enrolled in an educator preparation program.

Maddy summaryHB 329 encourages nonpublic schools in North Carolina, including private church schools and other qualified nonpublic schools, to adopt policies that prohibit the use of tobacco and hemp products on their school grounds. The bill amends existing state statutes to add this encouragement. It suggests that these schools use the current requirements for public schools as guidance when developing their own policies. This legislation aims to promote smoke-free and hemp-free environments within nonpublic educational settings.